There were 15 people selected in the Rule 5 Draft today and Mets OF Jake Mangum was not one of them. The Mets made the final selection and they grabbed RHP Zach Greene from the Yankees. Greene pitched in 46 games in Triple-A last year, making four starts, and went 9-0 with a 3.42 ERA in 68.1 IP. Most impressively, he had 96 Ks for a 12.6 K/9. Greene also made eight appearances in the Arizona Fall League this season, posting a 4.91 ERA with an 11.0 K/9 in 7.1 IP.
Greene has a solid fastball but is not a guy who throws 100 mph. He is mostly a two-pitch hurler, complementing his fastball with a slider. Both pitches feature a ton of movement, which is where he gets his strikeouts.
He will need to stay with the Mets all season or be offered back to the Yankees. With all of the openings in the bullpen, he should certainly get a shot.
Also today, the Mets acquired lefty reliever Brooks Raley from the Rays for minor leaguer and David Groveman favorite Keyshawn Askew. Raley had a strong year for the Rays in 2022, posting a 2.68 ERA, a 0.969 WHIP and he limited opposing hitters to a .542 OPS in 58.2 IP. And he faced significantly more righty batters than lefties this past season. He held LHB to a .482 OPS in 76 PA. Raley faced 143 RHB and limited them to a .573 OPS.
Raley has a starter’s repertoire, as he throws a fastball, slider, cutter and change. His primary pitch is the slider, but he throws the other three all around 20% of the time. Raley’s results last year were significantly better than any previous season, although his peripherals in 2021 were good, too.
I’m sure that before spring training comes around, we’ll have other new/old bodies added to the roster. The big “scare” that people have about the Mets as of now is that they are at the max luxury tax threshold, and that the team seems to be getting “older”. Commenters are also lamenting how the Mets are now a “3rd place NL East squad”.
Well, so what? The Phillies came in 3rd last year and ended up in the World Series.
So is Nimmo too expensive now? Will we add Senga? And what about another thumper for the lineup? We’ll see. We can only trust Eppler/Cohen to do what will be needed.
I do like the bullpen pieces added at the Winter meetings though.
I expect Cohen to pay the 90% penalty for Nimmo and Senga. He doesn’t care that much, if at all about “chump change” for him. Then they’ll lock up Ottavino too.
They still lack some power, but maybe they think that Alvarez and Baty can provide that. I’d be OK with that plan, with Vientos in the wings as well.
Mangum to the Marlins to complete the Brigham/Elieser deal.
Nimmo, Senga, Chafin, Ottavino. Call it an offseason.
I’m glad it was Mangum and not another pitcher. While I liked Mangum some as a Mets farmhand, you have to give something and the Marlins gave up two controllable arms that can contribute immediately. That has value! Seems like all the Mets ever gave up was pitching.
Now Eppler wants to shop Ruf. Let’s see if he can get three arms with upside for him. What a brain fart that was…
Maybe better than Mauricio or Vientos for Martinez or Bell? Remember part of the plan is to develop the players in the farm system.
Any player the Mets sign now will cost them pretty much double. As they are over the top threshold of the Cohen Tax, as a repeat offender they will pay a 90% tax on any money added to the ledger. Nimmo now costs $45MM-$50MM; Senga will be around $40MM. Not that they won’t sign anyone else, but they need to pick their battles. Seems they are trying to move Carrasco’s $16MM and that should create a slot of sorts.
I think it was the Reds that had four centerfielders… The Met can help them as they help the Mets.
deGrom signed for $37m and was replaced by Verlander for $43m.
Walker signed for $18m and replaced by Quintana for $13m.
Diaz was signed for $21m, a raise of $10m.
They pick up Carrasco option at $14m.
They pick up Vogelbach option at $1.5m
That are now at the threshold of “Cohen Tax”.
They still need a centerfielder, a #3 starter and a 7th inning reliever.
At present, they are not as good as last year.
They had got to exceed the “Cohen Tax” or they misappropriated $92.5m but I don’t see a feasible alternative.
The dead weight of Cano $21m and McCann $10 is killing the budget.
I feel like they need an 8th-inning reliever more than a third starter. While I wouldn’t turn my nose up at a Senga signing, I wouldn’t be distraught if they didn’t add another big-ticket SP. If they could add a guy who’d battle Joey Lucchesi, Tylor Megill and David Peterson for the fifth spot, I think that would be enough.
The bullpen has Diaz, Drew Smith, Raley and a bunch of guys who may or may not be any good. Adam Ottavino would be nice to have back but I understand not wanting to overpay in either dollars or years to make that happen. There are always solid relievers to be had on team-friendly deals. But it feels like the Mets need to step up for one guy to hand the ball to in the 8th inning as a bridge to Diaz.
How about Trevor Williams as that guy to battle for the 5th spot? He’s also a bullpen option.
Absolutely! I was impressed with Williams last year, even if Showalter thought he was clearly worse than both Megill and Peterson. I wonder, though, if Williams is in the same boat as Lugo, in that teams will be willing to use them exclusively as SP.
From FG on the Rule 5 picks:
27. New York Mets (34)
Zach Greene, SIRP, from the New York Yankees
Greene sets up on the extreme first base side of the rubber and has an open stride down the mound, clearing his front side and enabling him to have a nearly perfect north/south arm slot from a drop-and-drive style delivery. It creates huge carry on his fastball and helps it blow past hitters at the letters even though it only sits 90-92. Greene’s slider and changeup are both average, and his changeup seemed to take a significant step forward late in 2022. He looks like a three-pitch middle reliever.
Thank goodness Mangum made it through the draft. He’s got a real chance to make the team and who knows if Nimmo walks he could be part of a platoon. 0h never mind…
After seeing deGrom’s comments at his presser, my feelings are simple: glad you’re gone you ungrateful hack. Here’s hoping you never make 10 starts in a season ever again.
Going to the Rangers to win a World Series. That comment is as genuine as a 3$ bill.
Best news ever is we got to crawl out from under deGrom and now can replace him with a WS winner.
Chris,
I am indifferent to deGrom’s departure and would not have given him a deal anywhere close to what he got, but I don’t think it is disingenuous of him to reference the Rangers’ commitment to winning. They have spent a ton on elite talent over the last year, wisely or not, and hired a manager who has won multiple World Series. That is a pretty strong commitment.
I think Verlander was a better fit for the Mets….and now Uncle Steve has spent a ton to bring back Nimmo as well as securing Robertson for the 8th inning. He likely isn’t done yet. I have no complaints, thank deGrom for the memories, and wish him well, except when facing the Mets.
Eight year deal for Nimmo, with a bit over $20m/yr for him. Locked him up! Cohen’$ at work!
And David Robertson for only 1 yr/$10m!
LFGM!
I am happy that they resigned Nimmo. They basically have replicated last seasons team, but for alot more money.
I hope they still sign Senga and maybe they can swing a trade for a power hitter. They need a pitcher who will be around longer than 2023.
I do get the feeling that they are not done.
Agreed. So far we are treading water while the Phillies have gotten better and the Braves are already in fine shape. I’d like to see Senga and Ottavino plus a power bat.
Verlander ERA+ 156 last year
Quintana 137
Robertson 172
Raley 136
Diaz 297
Nimmo OPS+ 130 last year
Ruf made $3.5 but the luxury tax make it $6.65m. Trade him for any minor league player to save some money even if they in kick $1m.
McCann made $10m but the luxury tax makes it $19m. An established catcher in MLB makes a minimum of $4 -5m. Trade him for any minor league player and kick in $5-6m. Every $1m reduced of the payroll is $1.9 saved. Alvarez can split the catcher position with Nido and also be the RHB DH. It would be a win-win situation.
Don’t think Uncle Steve is worried about the $!